"Money For Nothing" is a watchable little movie, but nothing spectacular. How could it be really, when it's based on a premise that's not particularly interesting in the first place? A guy finds some money and the police is looking for the money. There you go.

The real reason to watch this is the amazing cast, which wasn't very well known yet in 1993 when this movie was made. Michael Madsen, Benicio Del Toro, Philip Seymour Hoffman and James Gandolfini all in one movie, that's really a treat. The shining light, however, is the leading star himself. This may not be John Cusack's best movie, but it may very well be his best performance.

"Money For Nothing" suffers a bit from the fact that it can't decide whether it wants to be a drama, a crime story or a comedy. Still, it makes for an enjoyable viewing. Catch it, if it's on TV.

Unemployed South Philadelphia dockworker John Cusack (as Joseph "Joey" Coyle) can't even get picked for day work by his own brother James Gandolfini (as William "Billy" Coyle). Still, he gets a tuna sandwich to share with buddy Michael Rapaport (as Kenny Kozlowski). On the road, the men are behind a truck when something falls out onto the street. Thinking it might make a good tool box, Mr. Cusack stops retrieves the container, which turns out to enclose $1.2 million...

His friend advises turning in the money for a reward, but Cusack wants it all...

A "Tareyton" smoker, Cusack would rather fight than switch. Realizing the smiling Ben Franklins need to be "laundered," Cusack brings a portion of the cash to former Catholic school classmate-turned-hood Benicio Del Toro (as Dino Palladino) and his gangster boss Maury Chaykin (as Vincente Goldoni). Cusack also finds out how easily money can get ex-girlfriend Debi Mazar (as Monica Russo) aroused. Like Dire Straits said, "Money for nothing" gets you "chicks for free."

While all of this is going on, detective Michael Madsen (as Laurenzi) is trying to find the missing money...

This is an entertaining picture by Ramon Menendez and his crew, but the winning situation (poor Philadelphia guy gets a chance to be rich) might have worked better as a drama; possibly, the project started as such and changed direction. The film begins with the dramatic phrase, "Based on a true story." This telegraphs the outcome and removes some of your investment in the lead character, unfortunately; many people (like me) being unfamiliar with the real-life Joseph John Coyle.

****** Money for Nothing (9/10/93) Ramon Menendez ~ John Cusack, Debi Mazar, Michael Madsen, Benicio Del Toro

Oddly, this movie is billed as a comedy but I think it was more of a drama and, coincidentally, since it was a mixed mag, so is the lead actor in here: John Cusack. He is acceptable, but nothing super. Cusack plays an ordinary guy, "Joey Coyle," who accidentally finds a million dollars and then tries to keep it. Supposedly, it's a true story (or at least based on one.) What happens to Joey and his million bucks (which had fallen out of an armored car) is not a story of joy and happiness. That's justice, since the honorable thing would have been to turn the money in, to where it belongs, so there are moral lessons taught in this story. What happens - a mixture of drama, comedy plus action and suspense - was pretty entertaining to watch. I wouldn't call this a "keeper," meaning a movie to buy and add to one's collection, but it's worth a rental, especially if you enjoy watching Cusack perform. I have found him to be a consistent actor. In dramas, I think Cusack can be outstanding ("The Grifters," "Eight Men Out," "Identity," etc.) but in comedies, he stinks ("Bullets Over Broadway," "The Road To Wellville," "Grosse Pointe Blank," etc.) Also, the rest of the cast includes some real characters, many of them out of a mob movie: actors like James Gandofini, Elizabeth Bracco, Debi Mazur, Michael Rapaport, Michael Madsen, Benicio Del Toro, Maury Chaykin and Philip Seymour Hoffman - not exactly the kind of actors you'll see in a light, sweet comedy! Halfway through this film I wondered if the writers knew where they were going with the story. I'm not sure they knew, but at least it entertains.